ROB Purdie will be Darlington’s regular penalty taker this season - with the blessing of manager Dave Penney.

Last season the manager was often surprised by who grabbed the ball when the side was awarded a spot kick, with Clark Keltie, Richie Foran, Guy N’Dumbu-Nsungu and Pawel Abbott all taking penalties.

Three of them have left the club, and Abbott is out injured. When Purdie picked up the ball after new signing Billy Clarke was felled by George Friend in Saturday’s League Two opener against Exeter City at The Arena, the manager was not surprised.

“This time I knew who would take it,” he smiled. “Rob took penalties at Hereford, and we named him before the game as our penalty taker. I was pleased to see him score his first goal for the club.”

Purdie’s successful spot kick was just reward for Darlington’s first-half dominance, but Exeter, playing their first game back in the League after a five year absence, levelled on the hour through Danny Seaborne, and deserved their 1-1 draw after a much better second half performance.

But Penney was not downhearted: “We had a lot of new players in the side and they are still gelling.

“We will get better though, we showed in the first half what we are capable of.

“I felt we might have had another goal or two when we were so much on top, but credit to Exeter for the way they fought back.”

Darlington handed a start to six new players, and brought another, Robin Hulbert, off the bench.

Strikers Adam Proudlock and Clarke looked excellent in the first half, but faded in the second, though will get stronger as they build up their match fitness.

Clarke arrived from Ipswich just a day before the game, but played well enough to suggest he will be an asset during his month on loan - a deal that may be extended.

His willingness to shoot at every opportunity caused Exeter problems in the first half, while Proudlock with his strength looks the ideal partner for the lively Clarke

Tomorrow night Darlington head for League One side Walsall in the Carling Cup first round.